Why build a PC?

I'm looking to buy a PC for my girlfriend. I've bought a few Dell's over the years (8400, 4700, 3000) as they typically have the best deals available.

I decided that maybe I'll just build her one. Nothing fancy. She'll use it mostly for music and surfing the web.

I went to newegg and tigerdirect to price out the components and I must say I'm really discouraged.

I can get a Dell 3100 with P4 521 HT 2.8Ghz 800Mhz FSB, 256 DDR2, 80GB SATA, CDRW and a 17" LCD for $500.

The P4 alone would cost me $180 at newegg.

Is there a cost effective way to build my own PC? I'd really like to, but if it's more work and more money then why do it?

Thanks.

 

Find a cheap supplier and it becomes easier to build your own PC.

 

For low end computers, you can't beat the price of a Dell. Especially when they start throwing in 17" LCDs. But, when you get to the higher end gaming computers, you start saving a good amount of money. Not to mention you can usually use some components out of your old computer.

 

Any cheap online suppliers you or anyone would like to recommend? I'd really rather build it, even if it does work out to be even or slightly more.

 

www.ebuyer.com